Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-29

ne Is Stl weak from the effects OF the terrible In
jury to his head recently received While atwork in
MS mine. So many visitors and old-time friends
came to see him at his Washington retreat that
1t was impossible for him to obtain the rest and
quiet necessary to his complete recovery, so he
slipped over to New York, where he can regulate
his hours for business and quiet better than he
could at Washington. A livid scar on the top of
his head shows where the cruel, jagged rock in
the mine cut its way through his scalp. "You
wouldn't think my head was almost as bare as a
billiard bali, only a few weeks ago, would you?"
asked the governor with laugh, as he stroked
the fresh crop that crowned his head but which
still did not begin to hide the scar
or course. the prime object OF the reporters visit
was to Interview Gov. Shepherd on three points:
His recollectons of early Washington; the part he
played in its history and upbuilding; again, his
opinion on the movement to give him public re-
ception, and still again there are many who would
like to know how Dame Fortune has favored one
VINO for so long time occupied so central figure
in public life, and yet who for years has been hid
den in the wilds of old Mexico
lfOne thing the reporter must admit to start with.
you are stranger and go to the governor with
your mind full OF the stories OF "Rng Rule .Boss
Shepherds ReigD," &C., that pass as part Of the
with the ''heavy villain OF the play" will totally
change your views. You will come away charmed
with the warm, Open-hearted nature OF strong,
manly American. Convinced that honesty and
integrity, with force, push, and iron WILL Is be-
hind a determined purpose, which had In view
the upbuilding OF grand city-a capital to which
nation like ours might ever point with pride.
Take the story OF the day, the situation the re-
suits. and Who then will feel disposed to say that
Alexander Shepherd was q dishonest or short
sighted man?
THE WONDERFUL CHANGES IN WASHINGTON.
Gov Shepherd said: Eyes. of course there have
been wonderful changeSin Washington since seven
years ago, when, to seek another fortune in Mex
leo, left the city in which was born, where /
had spent so many years in an honest endeavOr to
advance its best interests. did not have chance
In my drive up 7th street to get more than q
glimpse OF the city. but saw enough to convince
me that the few years have made many changes.
The great rows OF Overhanging trees which shade
the magnificent avenues We're but In their infancy
when left, and looking down every street the
mark OF Improvement and the introduction OF
artistic Ideas in the residences. The people OF
Washington have had their pride In their city
fully aroused. and beauty ana good taste shines
1orth In nearly all the recently constructed homes
When was living there people generally built
their houses by piatOOnS, and every one was
alike. Now every fellow tries to add another
wrinkle, to outdo his neighbor. and you don't find
any two new residences alike"
THE EARLY HISTORY OF WASHINGTON
'There must be many "reminiscences of Wash
ington that you can call to mind" suggested the
reporter.
"1ndeed there are. Remember as said before
that Washington was my birthplace and city In
whose welfare have always felt an intense inter-
est II Is surprising what an amount Of ignOr-
ance Is displayed by writer's and others regarding
the early history OF that city. The farmers, who
were the original holders of the ground on which
1t now stando,-at the time Washington was Sc
lected as the capital,-gave to the Government q
title in Zee simple to all the streets and avenues
ing lot. In all the Government had title to about
80 per cent of the original area Of Washington.
Most OF the building lots belonging to the Govern
ment were sold at different times, and nearly
three million dollars Was derived therefrOm. For
seventy years the city was governed by a corpo-
ration, the same as any other city. 1t
nd n,h 0r,a
people voted for their municipal officers,
although, OF course, they had voice in national
aae II did no arnvG fhe 1T WAS WAS nat
improvements, allowed the streets to go to rack
and ruin, and expended all the money that was
raised in supporting lot or politicians. In fact,
the city was such a veritabe mud hole that it was
frequently and seriously debated that the capital
should De removed to some other place. believe
teen States met at ST. Louis, and Joseph MediI OF
the Chicago Tribune, was chairman. This con-
vention decided that the capital should be re-
moved TO the Mississippi valley and for some time
1t was question as TO whether such result
would not be accomplished To-day, however
Washington maintains its position as the capital
OF our great nation in manner that does credit to
the people, and there is need to fear any future
agitation Tor It's removal. To make Washington
what II is to-day required more work. money and
fighting than the public have any idea or"
THE GOVERNORS INTEREST IN THE CAPITAL
"How did you come to interest yourself so
largely in the affairs OF the DiStrct?" asked the
reporter.
II always took an active interest in anything per-
tanning TO the city. l was in the city council
shortly alter became of age, and its chairman
when was twenty-three years old MY business
was that OF plumbing, gas-fitttng and contracting
"a member of the National Rifles, a military or
ganlZatiOn that was one OF the first to cross the
line into Virginia in defense OF the Union. I was
party In Washington. l believed firmly In the
princpes OF the republican party, and many a
warm personal friendship was lost to me because
stood up and battled for the principles / eS-
poused. Twas always greatly nettled at the manner
In which the city was allowed to go to ruin, and
realizing that under the old law or city charter it,
was impossible to bring Washington out of the
slough, went to work with heart and soul to OBJ
tain new government for the District, and, in
General Government passed law whereby the
city and District were reJuvenated and reorga-
nlZed
UNDER TERRITORIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT
II. ID. Cooke, brother OF Jay Cooke, was made
governor, and splendid, noble man he was, too
devoted alike to the welfare Of the nation and the
city. The Board OF Public Works consisted OF five
members: s. T. Brown, A. b. Mulleut, Jas A. Ma
gruder, GOV. Cooke, and myself. was chairman
or the Board and as such had virtual direction OF
It's affairs; and here let me say that made It a
rule That every paper and every warrant passed
upon by that board had to come to me personally,
be thoroughly understood and approved by ME
before 1t was acted upon. Sometimes examined
over thousand papers day, and there was not q
SluSlC tuluS uouc III Inc UlSCr1CC Wllle was
chairman that was not advised Of and for which
would not assume the responsibility"
ELEMENTS IN THE WAY OF IMPROVING TIE CITY
"What were the powers conferred upon this
bOard?"
81 will admit 1t was clothed with extraordinary
powers 1t had absolute control OF all the streets
or washington, with arbitrary power as to the
manner OF improving them. The city of Washing
ton was lald out for three million people. It can
hold hve million as easily as New York holds two,
During the seventy years preceding the establish
ment or the Board OF Public Works the citizens
had expended all told about SIS, 900, 600 and the
Generel Government about 81, GOO upon i'm
provements. My original plan was to urge the
Government to settle stipulated sum upon the
city in consideration OF what 1t had
done IN the past. But politicians, you
know, are cOwardly fellows and the members
OF Congress In those daSs were largely politicians
l found three elements confronting me which
side with shOrt-slghted, niggardly or weak
minded legislators stood q lot OF vagabOnds who
lived In the city, but who had no comprehension
OF 1tS needs or Its possibilities. These, with the
OLD Doul bon element, the speculative holders OF
vacant property, and the fellows who were disap.
pointed ofhceSeekerS, raised great hue and cry.
For three years and four months our board was
under continuous fire, and whateverit It did accom-.
pliSh was only done after tremendous fighting.
made up my mind to see the work through that
started on, come what may. ! care not what